I still remember walking through the gates of St. Mary’s High School for the first time. At that time, I had no idea that I would one day be working—virtually—with the IBVM United Nations, advocating for the education of women worldwide.
My name is Asmita, and I want to share with you my journey — how small beginnings, strong values, and bold dreams led me to contribute, learn, and grow as a virtual intern with IBVM at the United Nations.
I studied at St. Mary’s High School, where I was introduced to values like compassion, justice, and service. These values stayed with me as I joined FMW – Friends of Mary Ward, a charity initiative that serves the underprivileged—especially women and children—by supporting education, social inclusion, and rights advocacy.
Later, I pursued my Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence field rooted in logic and data, but for me, a tool for creating real-world solutions. My academic journey, paired with my passion for justice, made me seek an opportunity that blended both—and that’s how I found the IBVM United Nations internship.
Working with IBVM at the UN was not just an internship. It was a chance to be part of a global advocacy network that brings the voices of the most marginalized — especially women and girls — into international policy spaces. As a faith-based NGO with consultative status at the UN, IBVM works to advance gender justice, education access, poverty eradication, environmental responsibility, and human rights. Through this platform, I was able to see how on-ground stories from places like Nepal, India, and Africa could shape global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was a reminder that real change happens when voices from the margins reach the center.
During my time with IBVM UN, I was part of a mission that truly resonated with me:
- Advocating for gender equity
- Promoting access to education and healthcare
- Addressing climate justice and environmental care
- Eliminating the trafficking of human persons
- Fighting for the elimination of poverty
These were not just broad issues — we worked on real people’s stories and turned them into reports, campaigns, and advocacy documents that could influence member states and UN dialogues.
Here are some of the projects I contributed to: I assisted in writing and editing content for the CSW Declaration Report on women’s rights and policy change. I also researched and authored social reports on education access, gender roles, and youth empowerment. These inputs supported internal strategy and external communications. Together with other interns, I designed and wrote content for Social Media Campaigns to raise awareness on equity, inclusion, and education—some of which were seen by global audiences.
These tasks were not just assignments — they were opportunities to amplify unheard voices and learn how diplomacy, advocacy, and storytelling intertwine. This internship was transformative.
Here’s what I learned:
- Cultural Intelligence – I collaborated with peers across continents and time zones, which taught me adaptability and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Professional Communication – From policy writing to visual messaging, I learned how to express big ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Purpose-Driven Work – Every task had meaning. Whether it was one post or one paragraph, it contributed to a global cause—and that gave my work purpose.
Challenges I Faced:
Of course, there were challenges. Time zone differences sometimes made collaboration hard.
UN language and frameworks were full of acronyms, protocols, and formalities and were overwhelming at first. And being a remote intern meant no physical office or colleagues to keep me motivated. I had to manage my own productivity.
But through these challenges, I learned resilience, self-discipline, and how to ask for help when needed. These are lessons no classroom can teach.
Women’s Education & Gender Equality – the heart of my internship
Did you know that 129 million girls globally are still out of school? At IBVM UN, we did not just see these as numbers — we saw them as urgent calls for justice.
Education is not just a right; it’s a tool for freedom, for opportunity, and for equality. And it’s also the most powerful equalizer.
Through the internship, I saw how data becomes reports, reports shape policies, and policies create change — especially in funding education and supporting girls. And that is where real change begins!
To every student here today, this is what I want you to know:
You are never too young to make a difference. I was just a student from Nepal, but I applied, trusted my passion, and stepped into a global platform.
Start small, but start now. Volunteer, find your passion, build your experience. Every small action adds up.
Let your voice be heard. The world needs your perspective. Speak, write, design, question—whatever your medium, use it to advocate for something bigger than yourself.
Autor: Asmita Basnet, Youth Representative Intern (Nepal)
